



^ <*. 'o.^** .0*" 



^.'^•' 



'o, »' 








'^. 









^oV^ 























/^-U^^S /% ^^^9.' /\ - _, 

r»^ s • • > V- 










^ . 




THE 



gattt; /' >»n: cf gaqucs gc^alag, 



XPE 



LAST GRAND MASTER 



OF THE 



Antique i^thtt of 

KNIGHTS TEMPLARS, 



31 li^torical |)oenu 



; ^V OF Cr: 

GEO. W. SNOW, K. T. 

n 



V- 



T5zgsf 



Copyright, iSSS, 
By GEO. W. SNOW, K. T. 



TO ALL 

MASONIC KNIGHTS TEMPLARS, 

WHEREVER DISPERSED, 

THIS POEM 

IS FRATERNALLY DEDICATED, BY 

THE AUTHOR. 




m 



Ta 




Benj. a. Burr, Printer, Bangor. 



INTRODUCTION 



In the following Poem, the anlhor has attempted bo present, in 
a condensed form, the history of the events which preceded and 
cansed the downfall of the Ancient Order w^hich, for two hnndred 
3'ears, stood ''the firmest bulwark of Christianity in the East, and 
saved Europe from desolation, if not from Turkish conquest." 

These events occurred between A. D. 1291. the date of the fall 
of Acre, (the metropolis of the Latin Christians in Palestine,) 
and A. D. 1313, when the pope declared the Order abolished, and 
all its immense possessions throughout the dominions of France 
and the Holy See, were confiscated by the king and pope. The 
principal actors in this cruel drama, which commenced wath the 
arrest and imprisonment in one uight, of every Templar in Erance, 
including the torture of large numbers in their dungeons, and their 
death at the stake, on refusal to save their lives by confession 
of the guilt of the Order, and culminated in the martyrdom of 
De Molay, were Philip IV. of Erance and Pope Clement V., 
whom the king had raised to the pontifical chair through the in- 
ti'igues of the Ereuch cardinal Da Prato, who acted as the kuig's 
secret partizan in the college of cardinals, during the struggle to 
elect the successor to Benedict XI. 

In the progress of the tirama the author has endeavored to rep- 
resent these men as the}'^ appear in cotemporary history, wdiere the 
ambition, unbounded avarice and revengeful disposition of Philip, 
and the venality, weakness and subserviency of Clement, are fully 
shown. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In regard to the course of Clement, the circumstances of his 
elevation to the popedom through the agency of the king, will 
sufficiently account for his acquiescence and aid in the execution 
of Philip's designs. It is evident, however, that he would gladly 
have saved the Templars from their final fate, but for another 
demand of Philip involving the infallibility and sacredness of the 
popedom itself, requiring that Clement should desecrate the re- 
mains of the dead pope Boniface, against whom the wrath of 
Philip was so intense and unappeasable, that he insisted that the 
body should be torn from the tomb, burnt, and the ashes cast 
into the Seine. To prevent this fatal sacrilege, Clement reluct- 
antly acceded to all the other demands of the king. 

It is hoped and believed that the historical events as described 
in these pages will be found interesting, not only to the members 
of the Masonic Fraternity, but to the general reader of history ; 
and with this hope this volume is submitted to the public. 



The Conclave. 

When death had laid Rome's Pontiff" in the dust,^ 

And selfish Bishops sought the vacant chair 

Through secret intrigues, with unholy lust 

Of low ambition — Philip, surnamed The Fair — 

The vengeful, avaricious kino; of France, 

Saw with glad eyes the Prelates at their game — 

Saw too, and seized with eager hands, the chfince 

To wdn the power to do a deed of shame — 

A crime that doom'd to infamy his name. 

The while the Conclave, in Perugia met. 

Kept up their selfish strife with jealous hate, 

For Rome's proud throne, two factions therein sought. 



THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

By intriofue, artifice tmd stubborn will — 

Nay, e'en with l)ribes these Holy Fathers wrought- 

To win the lofty seat — but vainly still, 

For disrobed cardinals, and under ban,^ 

Who had no voice within the College, fan 

The angry discords, and with lavish gold 

The even balance of the contest hold. 

Thus, long divided in their Council, stood 
These Holy Prelates, liut their shameful feud 
Had grown from causes far 1)cyond their ken — 
Hatred, revenge and pride of selfish men, 
Whose hands in secret, guided and controll'd — 
Moved, or restrained, by either craft, or gold — - 
These, their blind instruments, who but fulfil. 
As passive tools, their unseen leaders' will. 



THE CONCLAVE. 



It l)oots not here to seek what motives swayed 

These differing partizans, who but obeyed 

The selfish dictates of unhallow'd zeal , 

Whose fires were fed l)y hatreds born of hell — 

By fears, ambitions, bigotries — aye, all 

The passions vile, that, venom-bloated, crawl 

In the dark depths of man's perverted soul. 

Whence all earth's myriad waves of wrong out-roll. 

Th' unholy strife of these most hohj men 
Without al)atement held its shameful reign ; 
Days grew to weeks, but still appeared no hope 
Of calmer counsels or a choice of pope, 
Till days and weeks to many months increase. 
Yet still these servants of the Prince of Peace 
Ke[)t u[) their wrangles, planned their idle schemes^ 
With a wild zeal, that to our vision seems 



10 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY 



Inspired by him whose kingdom lies beneath, 
Instead of the meek Man of Nazareth. 

Within the conclave, well King Philip knew,^ 

Were priests of France — among its leaders too,. 

Who, at his word would do, or utter aught 

To aid the winning of the ends he sought. 

These by Da Prato were most ably led — 

A cunning priest, to Philip's interests wed. 

A chief as shrewd the Roman faction claimed — 

Francesco Gaetani, justly famed 

For skill in intrigue, secret plot and scheme 

With which the brains of reckless leaders teem. 

And through these men, whom scruples troubled not, 

The Monarch's power to name the pope is sought. 

At length, of their long, fruitless contest tired, 
Perugia's burghers, Avith impatience fired. 



THE CONCLAVE. 11 



Around the Sacred College fiercely crowd, 

With threat'ning words and clamorous voices loud, 

Demanding that no longer be delayed 

The choice of one, who, as the Church's Head, 

Should mount her throne — that she no longer bear 

The ills attendant on the vacant cliair.^ 

Nor all unheeded by these cardinals, 

The clamor of Perugia's people falls — 

They saw and felt 'twere wise that voice to heed, 

And not provoke its threat'ning into deed. 



The Intervie 



w 



Night's deep'ning shades are o'er Perugia cast, 
Another day of fruitless strife has pass'd 
Within the Conclave. To their gloomy cells 
Have gone the worn and weary cardinals. 
In his dim chamber Gaetani walked, 
Thinking aloud — for to himself he talked — 
Of plans defeated — of his schemes o'erthrown, 
In the long contest for the Papal Throne. 
While thus the prelate, mutt'ring, trod the floor, 
He heard approaching foot-steps near his door. 
And soon a knock announced a visitor. 
" Who seeks admission?" Gaetani cried — 
" A Brother Cardinal," a voice replied. 



14 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Then Gaetani flung the portal wide, 
And l)ade him "enter in the peace of God," 
And o'er the threshold, lo ! Da Prato strode. 
Welcome and o-reetino-s o'er — " I come," he said, 
"For thy wise comisel, hoping, with thy aid. 
To find some means this fruitless strife to end, 
Which doth, at length, beyond these walls extend ;• 
Rousing^ the people, who, with threat'ning voice 
Demand without delay the Conclave's choice. 
And well we know how cruel is the wrong — 
E'en to all Christendom, that we so long- 
Have, by our feuds, deprived it of its "Head." 
" There are two parties," Gaetani said, 
"In this long contest, and to all 'tis known 
That one of these thy leadership doth own ; 
That I am counted with the other, I 



THE INTERVIEW. 15 



I 

Cannot, in truth, nor will I liere deny ; 

But not with us it rests — we look to you 

For plan to l>reak this stubborn dead-lock through." 

*' Brother Francesco, I have come to thee 
Hoping thy wisdom might invent a key 
To reconciliation's long-shut door, 
And to our councils harmony restore ; 
That our Most Holy Church no longer be 
A mark for scandal — prey to anarchy. 
But l)y our action, on Her sacred Throne 
Shall sit a PontitT w^orthy of Her crown. 
But, as thou dost f/n/ plan to give, decline, 
If thou wilt listen I will offer mine. 
This my proposal then — a simple scherue, 
And fair as simple, as thou can'st l)ut deem. 
We are divided, as thou'st truly said, 



16 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

B}^ differing views, by adverse interests led. 

'Twere idle here to say this should not be, 

That in our choice, there should, for you and me, 

Be but one aim — the welfare to secure — 

The honor and the glory to ensure 

Of Mother Church and of the Holy See. 

For we must take this matter as it stands. 

And do what Duty's faithful voice demands. 

Give, then, one party here the right to name 

Three ultramontane cardinals*' who claim 

No seat within the Sacred College here — 

AVhich will exclude one cause of jealous fear — 

This done — the other from these chosen three 

Sliall make selection and on one agree. 

Whom without question l)oth shall then declare 

The Conclave's clioice to till '' St. Peter's Chair." 



THE INTERVIEW. 17 

"Good Brother Cardinal, were't left to me 

To act as umpire here,' I do not see 

Aught in thy plan should cause me to refuse 

My full assent thereto — I would not lose 

A moment, but would have the compact sealed — 

Our contest ended — our divisions healed. 

But not with me, tho' fair it be, and wise, 

But with my friends its full acceptance lies. 

Them I'll consult, and I my promise give 

For their approval earnestly to strive." 

" Thanks, Gaetani, and with zeal no less. 

My prayers to heaven shall rise for thy success." 

With '■'■ pax vobis cum " doth Da Prato quit 

Francesco's chamber, who, with words most fit, 

Returned his courtesy, his "good night" said, 

Murmur'd his praj^ers, and then upon his bed 
3 



18 THE MAETYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Laid himself down, but busy thoughts long keep 
From the tired Prelate's eyes, the balm of sleep. 

Again 'tis morn, Perugia's golden spires 

Reflect the glances of the solar tires — 

Again her artizans — her sons of toil, 

Speed to their labor — slowly now uncoil 

The springs of Life, which Night and Rest have woi 

To healthful tension with sleep's silent key ; 

And Memnon-like on all the hills around 

Floats the sweet music of Morn's minstrelsy — 

Her joyous harmony all nature pours 

Through myriad voices of her seas and shores. 

The Sacred College does not meet to-day — 
Wearied by months of intrigue and delay, 
Both factions in the Conclave have agreed 
To wait till known if Prato's plan succeed ; 



THE INTERVIEW. 19 



For Gtietani hath the knowledge spread 

Among the party of which he is head 

And sought their counsel — learned their answer to 

Da Prato's plan — he goes now to renew 

The last night's conference. Within his room 

Da Prato waits, impatiently, the doom 

Of his proposal ; but he waits not long — 

Francesco's steps are hastening along 

The corridor, and soon his welcome knock 

Sends to his ear the echo of its shock. 

The door swings back — he enters, and again 

Sit face to face these holy, scheming men ! 

" What answer bring'st thou, Gaetani — say — 
Do thy good fi'lends accept, or not, the way 
Out of our long resultless strife, which I 
Did yesternight propose?" " This their reply, 



20 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

They freely, fully to your plan agree, 

With this condition : — That they name the three." 

" Then be it so," Da Prato quickly said, 

" And when the choice thou and thy friends have made, 

Bring thou, my friend, the fateful list to me. 

And in due time we'll name the Pope to be." 

Three days have pass'd, and Gaetani stands 
Again beside Da Prato, in whose hands 
He places now the scroll wherein is writ 
The chosen names the Roman priests submit ; 
From which the Gallic prelates must make choice 
Of one, which shall, without dissentient voice — 
When meets the Conclave on th' appointed day — 
Without, or question, cavil, or delay, 
Become its choice, and it shall then declare 
Its owner Master of St Peter's Chair. 



THE INTERVIEW. 21 



For forty days the Conclave is adjourned, 
And the tired cardinals have homeward turned. 

Thus Da Prato's wiles succeed ; 
But, to make the prize secure, 
He, a messenger of speed — - 
One whose faith and foot are sure. 
Must dispatch without delay, 
That the message on its way 
Lag not, till in Philip's hand 
Rests the all-important scroll. 
Speed thee, bearer ! win the goal, 
Then reward may'st thou demand. 

The wily Frenchman — prelate tho' he be, 
Is a shrewd schemer too, as well as priest ; 
He hath foreseen, forestall'd necessity — 
His courier started ere the bright'ning East 



22 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Gave earnest of the dawn. Not in those years 

The mighty Giant of the Iron Way 

Sped o'er the land three hundred leagues a day, 

Nor viewless Ariels, thro' earth's hemispheres 

Out-stripp'd the sun, borne on the lightning's wing; 

Yet did Da Prato's message reach the king; 

In briefest time — ^of days, just half a score 

And one, for such a journey, was a thing 

To make loud boast of in those days of yore. 



Th e Summons. 

Thus the Monarch won the key 
To the door of destiny, 
That opens to the way, wherein, 
If he travel, he shall win 
Full fruition of his hope — 
Power to name the coming pope, 
Aye, and bind him to fulfil 
His behests, or good or ill. 

Not an hour doth Philip wait. 
Swiftly from his palace gate 
Lo ! the ro3^al courier rides — 
Fleet the courser he bestrides. 



24 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Why and whither with such speed 
Hasten now that man and steed ? 
Philip knows the urgent need, 
And he sends that message forth 
To the cardinal, De Goth', 
The Archbishop of Bordeaux. 
Tingle will his ears, I trow. 
When that summons of the king 
From the courier's lips shall ring. 



The Compact. 

\ 

In an old Monastery, gray with time, 

Deep in the shadow of St. D' Angely's wood, 

As from its turret rang the vesper chime, 

Philip ])efore the blazing fagots stood. 

That up the l)road flue sparkled joyously. 

And sent their light and warmth the chamber through, 

Rubbing, at intervals, his hands with glee. 

Spreading their palms before the genial ray 

Of the fire's rosy light. Anon, he threw 

Himself upon the couch beside the fire. 

And leaning on his hand, lay lisf ning there 

And watch'd the dancing shadows' curious play 

Od wall and ceiling in the fire light glare. 
4 



26 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Alone he sat, l)ut in the corridor 
Waited and Avatched his faithful servitor 
For Bordeaux's Bishop summoned by the King 
To meet him here — and hearty welcoming 
Will greet his coming — but before they part 
A heavy burden shall oppress his heart ; 
For he is one among the chosen three. 
And with "the Monarch rests his destiny. 
Not long his coming doth the King await — 
E'en now the monks have met him at the gate, 
And to the waiting page his steps they guide, 
Who quickly leads him to the Monarch's side. 

And now, within that chamber lone, 
Sit Priest and Monarch — there the throne 
Of Rome, her honors and her power, 
All hang upon that fleeting hour ; 



THE COMPACT. 27 



Aye, to be sold ere midnight toll 
From the old ^Monastery bell — 
Sold ! and the price — a human soul ! 
And when that solemn chime shall swell 
Upon the air, 'twill be the knell 
Of a lost manhood, cheaply sold 
As Esau's birth-right was of old. 

Thus did De Goth l)efore the King appear, 
Ready to give a more than willing ear 
To Philip's words, tho' to him yet unknown 
The secret intrigues for the Papal Throne — 
That in the Conclave long with discords rife, 
The factious cardinals, to end their strife. 
Into the monarch's hands the power had thrown, 
On whom he would to place the Triple Crown. 

Thus, to Bordeaux's Archbishop, spake the King: — 
' ' Would'st thou 1)6 ruler o'er Rome's Holy Sec ? 



28 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

For if into thy scale my power I fling, 

Thon'lt mount her throne — her mighty Pontiff' be.' 

Quick fell his eyes toward the Monarch's feet, 

That he might hide his look of keen desire, 

And meekly answered : " Sire, it is not meet 

That one so little worthy should aspire 

To wield the scepter o'er Rome's mighty realm." 

The King replied : — " Bernard, while I admire 

Thy modest words, I know that at the helm 

Of our Most Holy Church, thy steady hands 

Would prove thee a most safe and trusty guide. 

Within thy easy reach that scepter stands ; 

Say, wilt thou grasp it? Hasten to decide. 

For if the gift I otler thou dost spurn, 

I doubt not one less modest I shall find 

Among our cardinals, to him 111 turn 

And raise him to the seat thou hast declined." 



THE COMPACT. 21) 



" (), Sire ! I pray thee deem me not the fool 
To turn from such a glorious prize away ; 
O'er Rome's vast interests worthily to rule — 
Her Faith defend — her awful scepter sway, 
A wiser man than I might doul)t his skill. 
Yet, if thy hand shall lift me to her throne. 
To honor it and thee, doul)t not my will — 
Heaven will grant wisdom when it gives a crown. 

"Reign even as thou wilt when thou art Pope — 
I seek not now m;/ honor, make it thine, 
My worthy friend — my eyes have wider scope 
And look beyond such petty motives — mine 
Is not the hope of plaudits long and loud 
From the rude rabble — the ignol)le crowd — 
No, my good Prelate — but if thou would'st wear 
The Pontiff's honors, thou must boldlv dare 



30 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

To use thy power in aid of what I ask, 

To its full stretch. I warn thee, 'tis a task 

Demanding energy, unyielding will. 

Wilt give thy pledge, and given, wilt fullil?" 

The wary Bishop started as he heard 
The King's proposal, and his heart was stirred 
To fearful throbbings, while his eager eye 
And trembling form betrayed the conflict high 
Within, of hopes and fears, that sent amain 
The heart's full current to the troubled brain. 
But rallying soon, replied : " Disclose to me 
The task to which my word and power must be 
Pledg'd to perform, if to the Holy See 
I shall attain by thy most gracious aid — 
How and by what the debt must be repaid ; 
And if, O Sire ! my soul it peril not, 



THE COMPACT. 31 



Nor pass the limit of my utmost reach, 
I give my promise, even tho' 'tis fraught 
With many clangers — 'spite of all and each, 
Will I perform it, let what will impede — 
As is my word e'en so shall be my deed." 

•' 'Tis bravely said, thy pledge is full and clear, 
But words are breath, oft meant but for the ear- 
From lips alone they issue, and the heart 
In their light promises doth take no part, 
And when we claim fulfilment, have no power, 
For conscience speaks, or memVy may ignore 
The hasty pledge, and therefore I demand 
An oath, my good Lord Bishop, with thy hand 
Upon the Holy Sacrament of God, 
Which binds thy Order as a seal of lilood ! 
In yonder pyx the sacred syml)ols are, 



32 THE MAETYKDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

The eucliaristic emblems, which " The Word " 
Dedares the blood and body of our Lord. 
Now by their deep and awful mystery, swear 
That thou Avilt aid, with all the papal power, 
The acts I purpose, in that coming- hour, 
AYhen thou beneath St. Peter's sacred dome 
Hast been crowned Pontiff of our Holy Rome." 

But paused Bernard awhile, with down-cast eyes, 
Then looking up, he said : " Thou dost not name 
The task by which my hand may reach the prize." 
" There's more than one, good Bishop, that will claim 
Thy faithful service, but have thou no fear, 
For all are worthy." "Then, Sire, I will swear." 
Then kneeling, took the vow — his manhood sold ! 
Now did the King, in part, his schemes unfold, 
But not the last and greatest, which he dared 



TTIE COMPACT. 33 



Not even yet, to tell th' ambitious fool, 
Whose venal soul his craft had thus ensnared 
'And made his willing — his subservient tool. 
This did the monarch from De Goth withhold — 
He must be pope and crowned e're that be told ; 
Aye, till the king — his purpose ripe — shall speak 
The fearful words shall blanch the Pontiff's cheek. 



The Election. 

De Goth has sworn upon the Sacred Host — 
Crowned his ambition at a fearful cost — 
Bartered his soul, and all his manhood lost. 
Henceforth shall he the slave of Philip live,^ 
Whose sateless cravings, ever crying, "give !" 
E'en like the horse-leech — shall fill all his life 
With bitter trials and with inward strife. 

And now, to make the king's decision known. 
Without delay his courier hath ])orne 
With swiftest speed, to Avhere the cardinals 
In Conclave sit within Perugia's walls, 
And in ol)edience to the kino-'s commands 



36 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Hath placed the message in Da Prato's hands, 
Who quickly summons all his partizans 
To private conference — to them makes known 
The monarch's choice of Bernard for the throne. 

And when the Conclave on the morrow meet — 

As l)Ound by ' ' compact " — they the choice complete 

By formal action. Thus De Goth^ is made 

Pope by the game the cunning Philip played. 

How sped that game has l)een already told, 

And how the king, much more by craft than gold, 

The mighty power from jealous prelates won. 

Thus for thelv choice, to substitute his own. 

Now the Conclave's work is done — 
Bernard's costly prize is won. 
And the Gallic monarch smiles 



THE ELECTION. 37 



At the triumph of his wiles — 

Sees with joy, his evil sowing, 

Fast to ripcn'd fruitage growing — 

Laughs to think that he who wears 

Rome's proud crown — her scepter bears — 

Must, subservient to his will, 

Henceforth, as the Pope, fulfil 

All, to which his fearful oath 

Bound th' aspiring ^jr/e-s^ — Do Goth. 

But the name the prelate bore, 

He, as Pontiff, bears no more— 

" Clement "^0 shall, for praise or blame. 

Bear thro' history his fame — 

Justice render fitting meed, 

Evil fame for evil deed.^^ 



38 THE MARTYIRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Two years have sped down Time's swift, silent river. 
Since to the king De Goth his manhood gave, 
And, in his folly, bound himself forever. 
To do hard, bitter tasks, as Philip's slave. 
But tho' severe and irksome, each and all. 
He hath performed them, as a faithful thrall. 
Yet, there remains one dread condition still 
Of that most fatal "Compact" to fulfil. 

With cahu, stern patience has the vengeful king 

Waited for fitting time, unfalterino; 

In his dread i)urpose — waited for the hour. 

In which to claim the Pontiff's mighty power 

For the fulfilment of the awful vow 

He made for the poor l)auble on his brow, 

Now the hand of Destiny 
'Mid her realm of Mystery 



THE ELECTION. 39 



Strikes the soundless knell of doom 
I Which, tho' not to mortal ear 

May its dread vibrations come — 
dwelling loudly on the air — 
Telling its sad tale of fear — 
Yet its voiceless prophecy 
All fulfill'd the world shall see 
What the doom, that sileut knell 
Now is telling to the hours 
As their sands are running low ? 
Who the victims ? What the wo ? 
If ye would know, then further list my tale 
While I essay the myst'ry to unvail. 



The Templars 



Two hundred years, with all their countless train 

Of deeds of good, or ill — of scenes of pain, 

Or joy — a panorama dark with clouds 

Charged with dread levin-bolts, whose gloom enshrouds 

The fated Nations — or, else, bright with gleams 

From a cerulean sky, whose golden beams 

Of a fair heaven beyond do prophesy — 

Have swept like shadows o'er the land and sea 

Since 'mid the hills of Sacred Palestine, 

The noble, brave, chivalric, pious Nine^^ 

Laid the foundation of that Brotherhood, 

Which led the Christian hosts through fields of blood, 

In countless conflicts with the Infidel, 
6 



42 THE MAETYKDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

With most heroic and untiring zeal. 

That Warrior-Order, of a world-wide fame — 

"EjSflGHTS or THE TeMPLE OF JERUSALEM," 

Who gave their swords, their lives, without reward, 
The Pilgrims on their dangerous paths to guard 
Through the wild passes of the hills, which lay 
Between the "Holy City" and the shore 
Of Jordan's sacred stream, as, on their way 
To bathe within its waters, or adore 
At the "Thrice Holy Sepulchre"— The Blessed Shrine"— 
They trod the mountain paths of Palestine. 

Two hundred years ! O what a wondrous story ! 

JIas the Historic Muse, with truthful pen 

Inscribed upoi^ her pages, of the glory 

Of those brave "Warrior-Monks"— those stalwart men. 

Whose march was ever in the battle's front — 



THE TEMPLARS. 43 



I The first to meet the foe — to bear the brunt 
\ 
Of war's fierce onset on a thousand fields, 

Where christian swords clashed upon Moslem shields. 

Such were the Templars in those struggles long, 

Along Judea's coast, her hills among, 

The sacred "Banner of the Cross" to rear 

O'er Salem's walls, the Crescent thence to tear, 

With holy zeal, from pinnacle and fane, 

And give her shrines to Christendom again. 

And this the well-earned, honor'd name they bore : — 

"Soldiers of Christ and Champions of the Poor." 

Poets in all the ages, since their day. 

Have sung in honor of their glorious name. 

And Genius crown'd it with immortal bay, 

And Hist'ry's pages well attest their fame. 



44 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

How have two centuries changed their humble state 

Since, at their altar first, they knelt and took 

Those solemn vows, their lives to consecrate 

To pious deeds — to meet the battle-shock. 

As fearless champions of the Christian Faith. 

Then, few and poor, but now, a countless host, 

With wealth and power, and crown'd with Honor's 

wreath 
By all the nations. Kings are proud to boast 
Of the grand title — "Templar," and to bear 
The noble name^^ — to lavish lands and gold 
Upon the Order, and most gladly share 
War's toils and perils 'neath "Beauseant's fold."^* 

He who hath gather'd Fortune's golden store 

In rich abundance, will most surely find 

A demon lurks amid the glittering ore ; 

And the proud brow which wreaths of honor bind, 



THE TEMPLARS. 45 



Will learn full soon, a deadly viper lies 

Hidden among the garland's oaken leaves. 

The demon Envy glares with hate-full eyes, 

On all that fortunate Success achieves. 

Thus fared it with the Templars. They had grown 

From the weak few to a vast host of power — 

From poverty to wealth ; but 'twas not won 

From conquer'd foes, but was the liberal dower 

Of princely gifts, bestowed by princely hands^^ 

As merit's meed, well earned and freely given 

By Kings and Nobles, Lords of many lands, 

"Who deem'd themselves thus almoners of Heaven. 

Yet not their wealth, nor yet their fame and power, 

Had charojed the threat'ning clouds that o'er them lower, 

With deadly lightnings, waiting but the word 

From the vindictive and revengeful King 



46 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

To smite them to the death, ere shall be heard 

The warning thunder of its heralding — 

E'en as the white squall from unclouded sky, 

Strikes the doom'd ship, while neither sky nor wave, 

Gives sign of danger to the ear or eye. 

And whelms the hapless crew in ocean's grave ! 

"Why, then," you ask, "the King's relentless hate? 

Why 'gainst the Templars doth his anger glow ? 

Why arrogate the ministry of Fate, 

And nerve his arm to strike such fatal blow ? 

What else than these have thus provoked his wrath 

Against this Order of such high renown? 

In what pursuit stood they across his path ? 

What crime committed 'gainst himself or throne, 

For which their ruin only can atone ?" 

As cause for envy, these had each their part 



THE TEMPLAKS. 47 



But not alone, with hatred filled his heart ; 

It was an act — (a crime by Philip deemed,) 

Charged to the Templars, which had roused his ire ; 

But which to the^n but simple fealty seemed 

To "Mother Church," to whom a duty higher 

Than loyalty to kings, they felt was due. 

It was no treason 'gainst the Monarch's throne, 

That they were charged withal, for they were true, 

Both to the kingly and the Papal Crown ; 

But that to Boniface, their moral aid 

They gave, in his fierce contest with the King, 

Which 'rose between them, when the pope essayed 

To sever from all secular control, 

All properties in which the Church had fee, 

And all her goods and lands, and, of the whole 

To be, himself, the one and sole trustee. 



48 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

And not the Church alone — the Clergy too, 
And all monastic bodies shared the same 
Exemption from all l)urden, tax, or due 
The King might levy. Such a right to claim. 
Might well have set the Sovereign's heart aflame ; 
For France, thus shorn of power to tax, would be 
Driven, ere long, to helpless bankruptcy. 
This gave the wound that rankled in his breast, 
And roused his vengeance to its wild unrest. ^^ 

How lacking wisdom is Ambition's slave ! 

Tho' Fame's loud voice may rank him with the brave. 

Aye — and how madly blind he rushes on 

O'er bleeding hearts until the prize be won. 

For, when his hand is stretch'd that prize to clasp, 

It proves a phantom to his eager grasp. 

But he, within whose heart of deadly ire, 



THE TEMPLARS. 49 



Revenge has kindled his Gehenna fire, 
By far out-runs ambition's swiftest fool 
In folly's race, and wins a fatal goal. 
When his intent — no longer wish, but deed — 
Is passed recall, he sees the fiend that led 
Him to that goal — beholds the precipice, 
Beneath whose crags Remorse's black abyss 
Awaits his fall, while pauseless on his path 
Stalks a dread Nemesis, whose quenchless wrath 
Sleeps not, but ever, like a fiend of hate. 
Silent and swift pursues him to his fate ! 
Deluded fool ! a demon's dupe thou art ! 
Who gives thee now a scorpion in the heart. 
Whose venom poisons all life's fountain there. 

And whose sharp fangs its quiv'ring fibers tear ! 

7 



50 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

But the revengeful monarch gave no thought 
To what the path he blindly trod, might lead, 
But heedless, hurried to the ends he sought. 
Revenge, Ambition, and insatiate Greed, 
The wolfish trio regnant in his soulji'' 
Urged him with all their fierce, satanic power. 
With reckless haste, on to the fatal goal. 
Impatient for the long-desired hour. 
When Greed with eager hands the spoil may seize- 
Revenge gloat madly o'er his victims' pain. 
And proud Ambition crown himself with bays. 
Where coils the viper that shall pierce his brain. 



The Betrayal. 

To Clement at Bordeaux doth a courier bear 

Most urgent letters from King Philip's hand ; 

Of courteous tenor, and with pretence fair 

Of ardent wishes, that the Holy Land 

Be wrested from the haughty Infidel, 

And that the sacred banner float again 

O'er Shrine and Temple, wall and citadel, 

In all the cities of Judea's plain. 

' ' And to this end " — thus did the monarch write — 

"Most Holy Father, we must seek the aid 

Of the brave Templars. Wilt thou then invite 

Their most renowned Grand Master, and persuade 



52 THE MARTTHDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

That valiant Knight, ^^ with all convenient speed 

To meet us here in Paris, that we may, 

In this most weighty matter, as we need — 

Have the wise counsel of a Chief, grown gray 

In faithful service in our holy wars. 

And such, be sure, thou fail not to declare, 

In our esteem, the character he bears — 

That from our councils, him we cannot spare." 

Thus was the fatal snare by Philip plann'd, 

Through the weak pontiff, set for De Molay ; 

For Clement saw not yet the iron hand 

So gloved in courtesy — that to betray 

The old Grand Master to a fearful fate. 

Was the deep purpose of the crafty king, 

Who thus, in specious flatt'ry veiled his hate 

To lure the victim to the death-trap's spring. 



THE BETRAYAL. 53 

For even now the fatal train he lays^^ 

Which shall, ere long, to utter ruin sweep 

The Noble Order, while he thus betrays. 

With guileful words, that hide his purpose deep, 

The unsuspecting chieftain to his fate. 

Aye — even now his hirelings, at his word, 

Are sowing seeds that soon will germinate 

In the quick soil, and like the prophet's gourd. 

By rapid growth, will soon shut out the light 

Of sun-like Truth, for calumny doth find 

In human hearts a soil adapted quite 

To slander's rankest growth. And, thus maligned 

By these base, venal creatures of the king, 

The Templars soon will taste the Upas-fruit 

That from the seed of lying rumors spring, 

Kank with the poison of its deadly root. 



54 THE MARTYRDOM OP JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

That there may be no failure to maintain 

By proof, these slanders, with consummate fraud 

The monarch frees from dungeon-cell and chain 

A felon vile, with promise of reward ; 

Who, tempted thus, swears to black, damning crimes 

Committed by the Templars in their rites ; 

And on such proof the royal robber aims 

To confiscate all properties and rights 

Of the doomed Order throughout his domains. 

But he from Clement hides his base design, 

And for the Templars he respect still feigns, 

While for their ruin he prepares the mine. 

Not e'en his trusted, secret tools may know 

His hidden purpose — his intended blow. 



The Disclosure. 

And now, once more the King and Pontifl'meet, 
And Philip chiims full payment of the debt — 
The heavy debt, th' ambitious priest, Bernard, 
For Rome's Tiara recklessly incurred. 

Within the king's most private chamber now, 
From interruption safe and list'ning ears, 
Philip reminds Pope Clement of his vow ; 
Who, with a pang and thrill of horror, hears 
The king's disclosure oT his dread design — 
Destruction of the Templars ! and he shook 
With undissembled terror, and his brain 
Reeled with the shock, as with a ghastly look 



56 THE MAETYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

In mute astonishment and fear be gazed 

Upon the features of the monarch stern, 

Who calmly said : — Why art thou thus amazed, 

Most Holy Father ? Hast thou yet to learn 

That this proud Order merits well the doom 

I long have purposed, and for which thine aid 

Is now invoked ? The Holy Faith of Kome 

Beneath their feet contemptuously they tread, 

With most accursed and blasphemous rites. 

Within their secret chambers they receive 

Their ignorant, deluded neophytes. ^o 

Thou art that Faith's defender, and must give 

This damning heresy its death-blow ere 

Its rank growth bid defiance to thy power. 

Strike then ! and promptly, and with me thou'lt share 

Heaven's high approval in that triumph-hour, 



THE DISCLOSURE. 57 

When this proud Order, by our faithful zeal, 

Of their dark crimes the penalty shall feel." 

*' Sovereign of France, thy words have struck my soul 

With wild amazement and with horror deep ! 

As if along the cloudless heavens should roll 

Loud-crashing thunder-peals, and lightnings leap. 

False to the faith ! This Order so renown'd 
For valiant deeds thro' twenty long decades ! 
Which in the battle-front was ever found 
In all the contests of our eight Crusades ! 
It cannot be ! Thine ear has been abused 
By the false tongue of calumny, I fear. 
On what authority are they accused ? 
And by what proofs does their black guilt appear ? " 
"Proofs ! Dost thou think I would this charge have 
made 



58 THE MAETYEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 



Lacking the means to buttress it with proof? 

I were an archer little skill'd indeed, 

To launch my shaft at game so far aloof 

That it may greet my bootless shot with scorn. 

Nay — Clement, doubt not, there shall be no lack 

Of confirmation when the veil is torn 

From their dark deeds. The truth-compelling rack, 

From their own mouths shall, by confession, make 

All further proof superfluous — and then, 

For their complete destruction, will remain 

Nought but thy Bull, commanding the arrest 

Throughout our realms, of these blaspheming Knights, 

Who, in their secret orgies, make a jest 

Of all that's sacred ii) Rome's holy rites." 

" O King ! this charge, 'gainst men whose holy zeal 
Has made their name so honored thro' the world — 



THE DISCLOSURE. 59 



Whose blood, whose treasure, for the church's weal 
Have been so lavishly — so freely given, 
When and where'er her banners were unfurled, 
Who 'gainst her foes so faithfully have striven — 
Should, to the portal of our judgment, come, 
As came Bendocdar to old Antioch's towers. 
What time he summon'd to her bloody doom 
Syria's strong capital — with resistless powers — 
A mighty force of proof, which should not leave 
A doubt to bar conviction, most entire. 
From idle rumor will the world believe 
This Christian Order worthy of the fire ? " 

"What mean'st thou, Clement? Is my word, then, 

nought ? 
Have I not said this charge shall be maintained 
To the removal of thine every doubt ? " 



60 , THE MAETYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 



"Aye, Sire, thou hast so said, but hast not deigned 

To show on what that fearful charge is built — 

Its adamantine base — its rock-built tower, 

From whose high battlements the catapult 

Of truth invincible, its blows shall shower 

Upon the walls of their strong citadel 

Of good repute, of high and broad renown 

For pious deeds, of which two centuries tell 

The wondrous tale.^^ Can these be battered down, 

Think'st thou, by means less potent, Sire, than these?" 

O'er Philip's face a deathly pallor spread. 

As if his heart a mortal pang did seize, 

And from his lips the ruddy color fled, 

As o'er his teeth they closed with firm compress. 

Thus, for a moment, silent sat the king, 

As if he strove against some keen distress, 



' THE DISCLOSURE. 61 

Then, swift as lightning, from life's central spring, 
Rushed to his brow again the crimson flood, 
While rage gleamed fiercely from his flashing eye. 

But the shrewxl monarch curbed his angry mood — 
Waited for calmness ere he made reply ; 
For Philip knew the venal Clement well — 
Knew that with him he played a winning game ; 
For he held secrets which, were he to tell, 
AVould whelm the Pontiff with a bitter shame. 
And with this thought his passion ebb'd away, 
And pass'd the cloud of anger from his brow. 
But a brief moment did he yet delay, 
Gath'ring his forces for a heavier blow 
To Strike aside the shield, which, o'er their head 
The Pontifl'held — for Philip knew, in vain 
Would e'en his strongest eflibrts be essayed 



62 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

To pierce that panoply — and, as again 

The monarch speaks, he cares not to renew 

The charge of heresy, nor does he claim 

The pontiles aid as guardian of the true — 

The Holy Faith of Rome — his surer aim 

To a more salient point directs he now ; 

Not to Rome's Hierarch, her mitred Pope — 

Ruler o'er Christendom — the Church's hope. 

High Heaven's Vicegerent, under awful vow 

To guard the Fount of faith and keep it pure 

From heresy's polluting streams most foul, 

But to the man — De Goth — whose sordid soul 

He knew, would seize, with greedy haste, the lure. 

" Clement ! hast thou forgotten, then, the horn- 
When thou and I met in St. D'Angely's hall? 
Where thou did'st pledge to me thy future power 



THE DISCLOSURE. 63 

To aid my purposes ? Must I recall 

Thy solemn oath, given on bended knee, 

To do my bidding, if within thy hand 

I placed the scepter of the Holy See ? 

Well — let that pass — I will not now demand 

That oath's fulfilment, neither will I, here 

Further debate the question of the guilt 

Of these proud Templars — that will soon appear. 

We'll waive all that, good Clement, if thou wilt, 
And come at once to v/hat I would propose — ■ 
'Twere idle now to try our thoughts to hide. 
We know each other all too well, to gloze 
With words whose meaning must be spoke "aside. " 
This haughty order whose full cofters groan 
With hoarded gold, jewels and costly gems — 
The gather'd wealth of years, wherein is show^n 



fM THE MARTYEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

The steady flow of many golden streams 

From many fools, to this all-swallowing sea — 

Their broad domains, their power and lordly state, 

Increasing ever, Clement, we can see, 

Have made them insolent. Let us not wait, 

Till stronger grown, they dare resist our sway. 

Strike now — suppress the Order — seize their lands. 

Their hoarded wealth. Thus shall we sweep away 

Their o'ergrown power, then from their weaken'd hands 

The golden spoil — of which our thrones are heirs^^ — 

Shall to our coffers fall, and cease to be 

The cause of jealous envy — for in theirs 

It is, by privilege, exempt and free 

From tithe or tax, or burden of the state. ^3 

At this the people murmur — well they may. 

Then act with me, nor lonorer hesitate. 



THE DISCLOSURE. 65 



Thou hast already summon'd De Molay^* 

From Cy]3rus hither. He and three-score Knights 

Who Avith him come, are now upon their way — 

For so my trusty emissary writes, 

Whose letters from Limisso came to-day." 

" Sire, I forget not — never shall forget 
Our conference in St. D'Angely's abbey held, 
Nor aught I pledged to thee when there we met ; 
Nor can'st thou charge that I in aught have failed. 
Yet do I deem thou should'st thus much concede 
To my desire to know whereon is built 
Thy awful charge, on which I must proceed. 
Ere has been tried the question of their guilt." 

"Thou sayest well — I grant it were but just 

That thou should'st have full warrant for thine act ; 

9 



QQ THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

And as thou 'st met my charges with distrust, 
Know that by good authority they're backed — 
No less than this : — A Templar, on his oath, 
Has of their truth confession made to me.^^ 
This must compel belief, however loath, 
And make all doubt give place to certainty." 

"Enough, O King ! I will no longer strive 
To shield these heretics, for thou hast given 
A blow my strongest faith cannot survive. 
Thou know'st I have against conviction striven, 
But 'tis in vain — confession ends all doubt. 
Thou art my witness, and can vouch for me. 
That I most truly, earnestly have sought 
To shield them from this damning infamy. 
As thou hast said — our Holy Church doth claim 
My utmost efforts, pure her Faith to keep 



THE DISCLOSUEE. 67 



From heresies — to guard her from the shame — 

The degradation of a sin so deep 

As these blaspheming knights are charged withal ; 

Nor suifer it a day unscathed to pass. 

On the doom'd Order soon my blow shall fall, 

And heavily as sudden — by the Mass !" 

"Well hast thou spoken, Clement. Give the word 
For the arrest of every knight in France ; 
And this a simultaneous act must be 
Throughout our realm, lest some escape perchance ; 
And for like reason use all secrecy." 

Thus this reckless, vengeful pair 
For their victims lay the snare. 
Soon, within their dungeons lone, 
Joint and nerve and reeling brain 



68 THE MARTYEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

On the rack — with vain appeal — 
Madd'ning agonies shall feel. 
They shall supplicate in vain, 
Torturers will not heed their moan. 
Venal Pope and treach'rous king ! 
Ye shall feel remorse's sting ; 
From your sowing there shall grow 
Bitter fruit and fearful woe ! 



The Rack and Dungeon. 



Slowly their weary round five years have roll'd 
Since Gallia's despot and his mitred slave — 
One in revenge and hate, and both for gold — 
To dungeons dark, and torture-chambers gave 
Those noble Warriors, old and battle-scarred. 
From their long warfare on Judea's plains. 
Where 'gainst the Crescent for the cross they warred. 
Did such a service merit racks and chains ? 
Yet, such the guerdon which the Pope bestow'd 
Upon those brave supporters of ' ' The Faith " 
Thro' the long struggles on those fields of blood, 
Where countless thousands gave themselves to death, 



70 Till: MARTYEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

To win the "Holy City," and to keep 

Her shrines untrodden by the Infidel. 

They sowed their blood on battle-fields, to reap 

This bitter harvest of their prison cell P^ 

Harvest of pain ! — of tortures most intense ! 

By fire and cord — the thumb-screw and the wheel ! 

Such these brave Knights receive for recompence, 

For all their suff 'rings for the Church's weal. 

It were a task most sad and profitless, 
The story of those torture-years to tell. 
Let Fancy paint the scenes of dire distress 
Where fiend-like men enacted deeds of hell ! 
Yet justice doth demand we pass not by 
In wrongful silence here, that other tale — 
How their keen agonies these warriors bore — 
Their wondrous fortitude, that did not quail, 



THE RACK AND DUNGEON. 71 

Tho' tortured e'en till fainting life gave o'er, 

And tempted, too, by guileful promise given 

Of absolution, life and liberty ; 

Yet how few falter'd, and how few were driven 

To gain, b}" false confession, even those 1^7 

How many, steadfast, even unto death, 

In silence died — yet triumph'd o'er their foes — 

For martyr'd Truth may claim a victor's wreath. 

And thus for j^ears the fiendish torturers strive 

To wring confession b}' the rack and wheel, 

AVith all that bigot malice can contrive. 

To wrench the sinews — make the reason reel. 

And yet they win not from these victims aught 

To fix upon the Order guilt or stain. 

E'en at the ^^ Auto's" flames they yielded not, 

Tho' life and al)solution they might gain. 



72 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

But firmly met the martyr's fearful death — 
Declared their innocence Avith latest breath ! 

In their lone dungeons, bound with heavy chains, 

The few surviving Templars, weak and worn, 

Had languished all these years — their cruel pains — 

So long, and with heroic patience borne. 

Had wreck'd their bodies and their souls benumb'd, 

And courage died for hope no more sustained. 

Thus in despair, what wonder mme succumb'd 

To Philip's power and made confession? Feign'd 

A guilt they knew not, that they might be free 

From fetters, tortures, and a living tomb \^^ 

That e'en Molay, in dire extremity. 

By false confessions, sought to 'scape his doom ; 

For Nature, in her mighty anguish, pleads 

Too loud and strono- for human fortitude. 



THE RACK AND DUNGEON. 73 

The cnish'd form yields — the broken spirit bleeds, 

And Philip gains the end so long pursued, 

For nought but feeble breath is left them now, 

With little strength to frame it into words ; 

And so, unto their torturers they bow 

In mute assent — 'tis all that strength affords. 

But even this the King and Pope declare 

To be confession of the Templars' guilt ! 

Wrung thus from them by torture and despair ! 

Yet, have these crowned and mitred tyrants built 

On such foundation their nefarious scheme 

Of wrong and ruin to these hapless men — 

Their hope, that from this proof the world will deem 

Their action blameless, and their course sustain. 

For such the fame these Christian Knights have gained 

Thro' two full centuries, for noble deeds 
10 



74 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

For Church and State — for loyalty unstained, 
That 'twere not safe, even for crowned heads, ^^ 
Without confession, recklessly to doom 
These men to ruin, and their wealth to seize ; 
And King and Pontiff dare not thus presume. 
And hence their haste to make these mockeries 
Of rack-wrung assent to their charge, appear 
As full confession, to the people's ear. 
Therefore, to crown their action with success — 
Secure a vindication most complete. 
The Templar Chiefs in public must confess 
Before th' assembled people, and repeat 
Avowals of their Order's guilt, as wrung 
From them in dungeons — that these tyrants proud. 
For their vile act of cruel, causeless wrong. 
May win the sanction of the thoughtless crowd. ^'^ 



THE RACK AND DUNGEON. 75 

For the bewilder'd multitude, iu doubt, 
Gaze 'round in fear, and in faint whispers ask 
If these brave Knights, who have so boldly fought 
For " Holy Land," have hid beneath a mask 
False hearts of vilest hypocrites and knaves ? — 
They — honor'd by the world as true and good, 
Been false to all their vows — to lust been slavQS ! 
As champions of the Church have they not stood 
Through two full centuries, and true to all 
Her interests, honor, and her awful sway? 

Well may the}'' ask, and marvel at such fall. 
And look with wonder and in sad dismay 
Upon the Order's ruin. Philip feels 
And knows that peril in his pathway lies — 
Knows that the Templars' cruel fate appeals 
With mighty force for sympathy, that tries 



76 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

The faith and fealty of Christian souls. 

To guard against which peril — to forestall 

The public judgment, he subservient tools 

Finds in the "Friar Preachers" — one and all, 

Of whom, with willing voices, at his call 

Harangue the people on the Order's guilt. 

And the king's Ministers in tones as loud, 

Assail the Templars — heavy blows are dealt 

In long addresses to the list'ning crowd, 

Denouncing, black'ning, magnifying each 

Vile charge of crime the king has falsely brought 

Against these Knights. Their venom'd arrows reach 

And wound their reputation, dearly bought 

By faithful service of two hundred years ; 

For Philip feels the urgent need to make 

The Templars' guilt beyond all doubt appear, 



THE RACK AND DUNGEON. 77 

Nor scruples he for this all means to take, 
That every kindly impulse of the heart, 
That rises ever at such awful woe, 
May be crushed out, and pity take no part 
To check or lessen the impending blow. 

Truth ! mighty, glorious attribute of God ! 

Whereon all faith of men and angels rest — 

All hope, that gives us strength to bear the load 

With which our earthly being is oppress'd — 

Which lifts the soul above all human fear. 

And gives us victory even over death — 

To view the stake the bigot-tyrants rear. 

The block and headsman, with unwavering faith — 

Well did the Persian Monarch speak of thee 

As " mighty above all things," and declare : — 

" Thou art the wisdom, beauty, majesty 



78 THE MARTTEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 



Of all the ages ! Blessed be thy name 
O'er all things else, thine is the victory !" 

The early spring-time over sunny France 

Has robed the. fields with verdure and with flowers ; 

The morning sun fills all the blue expanse 

With glorious sheen, as he leads on the hours. 

And marks their passage with his golden pen 

Upon the dial, as they swiftly speed. 

But e'er his zenith-station he shall gain, 

He will look down upon an act, whose meed 

Shall be, on History's page — a glorious name 

Worthy a tablet in thy temple. Fame ! 



The King's Failure. 

From lofty balcony the king doth gaze, 

With inward joy, upon the living tide 

Of eager thousands, thronging all the ways 

That stretch far out into the country wide ; 

For, in obedience to his call they come. 

That they may hear the Templars' crimes confess'd. 

E'en by their Master, and approve the doom 

Decreed by King and Pontiff", and attest 

To all the Christian world, that this, their deed 

Of greed and malice, was to justice due ; 

That earnest zeal for Rome's most holy creed 

Gives inspiration to the act they do. 



80 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

In this assurance, Philip smiles to see 

The gath'ring crowds the streets of Paris throng, 

And, like a river speeding to the sea. 

Towards the little islet rush along, 

Whereon doth rise the Grand Cathedral pile — 

The lofty towers of ancient Notre Dame 

Above the parted current of the Seine — 

Divided thus by famed Lutetia's Isle — 

Forming a double mirror of the stream. 

Whence are reflected, in day's golden beam. 

Two wrinkled pictures of the Sacred Fane. 

And now, in circles deep around the square 
Which fronts the Grand Cathedral, press the throng ; 
The anxious, eager, curious looks they wear. 
Attest their interest and feelings strong. 
In the sad drama, soon to culminate 



THE king's failure. 81 

In Philip's triumph o'er those noble men, 
For whose confessions gloomily they wait, 
On which depends the Templars' coming fate — 
Which shall make infamous the Tyrant's reign. 

Conspicuous in the scene, above the heads 

Of the vast multitude a scaffold stands, 

Upon whose platform a proud Bishop treads, 

With the King's provost — both with willing hands 

Ready to do what Church or State commands. 

On either side, the grim, embodied threat 

Of the relentless King and servile Pope — 

Two martyr-stakes, with fagots near, are set. 

To give this warning : — "Bid adieu to hope ! 

For the red flames await you, should ye dare 

Retract confession, or refuse, or fail 

To re-avow your Order's guilt. Beware ! " 
11 



82 THE MARTYEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

How strong in truth were he who will not quail, 
When Power vindictive threatens such a fate ! 

Hark ! 'Tis a trumpet's blast, that heralds now 
The coming of a troop of martial men, 
Behind whose ranks, with feeble steps and slow, 
March De Molay, Geoffrey of Aquitaine, 
Guy, Grand Preceptor, and Hugh De Peralt, 
Weary and worn, and wearing heavy chains — 
Their Tyrants' recompense for many a scar. 
Which tell of wounds received on Judah's plains, 
In bloody contest with the church's foes. 

Thus led and follow'd by their guards — with pains 
Born of their dungeon-racks and many woes — 
Towards the scaffold stairs they move along — 
PacJ^ step a torture, and each breath a groan — 
And re^ch, at length, their place above the throng, 



THE king's failure. 83 

On the high platform, which shall prove a throne 
To two, at least, of those heart-broken men. 
Whom Truth shall crown with her bright diadem 
Of fadeless glory, whose immortal sheen 
Shall far transcend their tyrants' richest gem. 

Surrounded by the creatures of the King 
And servants of the Pontiff, now they sit. 
While from the mouth of Alba's Bishop ring. 
In scornful tones, what venal priests have writ 
As free confessions by the Templars made — 
Albeit, extorted by the torturer's cord ! — 
Acknowledgement of acts that would degrade 
Of Afric's lowest race the vilest horde ! 

And now, with voice imperious and loud, 
The Papal Legate on the Templars calls, 



84 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Demanding that these acts be re-avowed, 
As once confess'd within their prison walls. 
How shall they answer ? Hardly have they breath 
Or strength remaining, e'en for brief reply ; 
And well they know th' alternative is death. 
Should they refuse confession, or deny.^^ 

Silent and listless, with eyes downward bent, 
They sit, as if unheard that stern demand. 
Until, with anger and impatience blent, 
The wrathful Legate utters his command 
With louder voice, and fiercely stamps the floor. 
Which their attention to his words recall. 
Two of these weary Templars lack the power 
To do aught else than nod assent to all 
The Legate's questionings, and thus reply 
Geofirey and Hugh Peralt^^ — 13^^ not Molay ! 



THE king's failure. 85 

Nor did the noble Grand Preceptor, Guy, 

For they had come with firm resolve to die. 

For Truth to suffer, and their lives to lay 

Upon her altar ; and, inspired by this, 

De Molay's form received new strength to rise. 

E'en with his load of chains, and thus address. 

With voice unfalt'ring and unswerving eyes, 

The mighty multitude, awaiting there, ^3 

His answer to what haughty Alba claims — 

Confession of that catalogue of crimes 

Most infamous, which Pope and King declare 

Alone shall save them from the " Auto's" flames.^* 



The Triumph of Truth 



"A captive long within your dungeons lone, 
Bound with your chains, and tortured to the verge 
Of life's endurance, by which ye have won, 
From Nature's agonies, that which ye urge 
Me and my Praters, broken down with pain 
And with the threat of death, embodied there 
In yonder fagots piled with stake and chain. 
To now acknowledge to the public ear 
As truth most absolute ! O ! Thou whose eye 
Searcheth the secret chambers of the soul. 
Be Thou my witness from Thy throne on high, 
While I declare each charge a slander foul — 



88 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Its substance falsehood and its root a lie ! 

And in this truth, O ! give me strength to die ! 

Yet, to my shame do I avow my guilt. 

In that I yielded, e'en 'mid tortures keen, 

To gain a respite from the pangs I felt — 

A brief remission of the cruel strain 

That wrench'd the sinews of my quiv'ring frame — 

A half-unconscious, false acknowledgement 

Of the vile crimes our enemies proclaim 

Against our guiltless Order, to whose fame 

Two hundred years have growing lustre lent." 

Again stern Alba's angry voice is heard — 
" Hold ! thou false Templar ! lying knave, no more ! 
Blister'd shall be thy tongue for each false word 
Which thou hast uttered. Thou hast dared abjure 
Thy former true confessions, and accuse 



THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH. 89 

Even the Holy Father and the king, 

And us, their servants, and thou shalt not lose 

Thy recompense, for ere the sun shall fling 

His evening rays upon yon lofty Dome, 

At yonder stake, amid the flaming fire, 

Thou'lt meet the fate reserved for foes of Rome, 

Who, like thyself, dare thus provoke her ire." 

" I knew my fate when I was summon'd here 
To stain my soul with falsehood, and I scorn 
To save this life — this weary form I bear. 
From Clement's doom — 'tis of all terror shorn. 
I see your stake, your chains and fagots there. 
But to my inner consciousness appears 
Truth's glorious form, whose radiance fair 
Hides all their ghastliness. My spirit hears 
Her voice that silences your threat of death 



90 THE MARTYRDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

So loudly utter'd, ringing thro' the air, 
And I again, e'en with this failing breath. 
My Order's innocence do here declare — 
No stain of guilt does their escutcheon bear." 

And Guy, the Grand Preceptor, now essayed 
To echo the bold words of De Molay, 
But the indignant Legate now forbade 
All further speech, and, to their cells, away 
Both noble knio-hts were hurried. To the kino; 
A speedy messenger doth quickly bring 
Th' unwelcome tidings, and his anger rose 
To a fierce heat of passion, and he throws 
Aside all reason, all restraint, all thought 
But that of vengeance, and he scruples not, 
Without the Pontifl^'s sanction, to decree 
The death by fire of Guy and De Molay ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH. 91 

But ere around their forms springs up the fire, 

Speaks De Mohiy, as by the fatal pyre 

He stands — turned on the multitude his look — 

Who, awe-struck at the scene, in silence gazed, 

And as he uttered, with his hands up-raised, 

His dying words, like an electric shock, 

A mighty shudder ran thro' all the crowd. 

As from his lips this fearful summons flowed : — 

" Oh Philip ! I forgive thee all my pain, 

But well I know my pardon is in vain. 

For thou art doomed, and ere a year has flown 

I summon thee to meet me at the Throne 

Of the All-rishteous Judge of Earth and Heaven : 

There learn if crimes like thine may be forgiven ! 

And thou, Oh Clement ! ere the circling sun 

His round diurnal forty times has run. 



92 THE MARTYEDOM OF JACQUES DE MOLAY. 

Thou too art summon'd to that Judgment seat, 

Us, the wrong'd victims of thy power, to meet.^^ 

Guiltless we die, but thy unjust decree, 

That dooms us here, at that High Court shall be 

Reviewed by Him whose wisdom never errs : 

There shall your wrongful verdict meet reverse." 

Then, as they bound him to that fatal stake, 

His voice once more is heard — but now he spake 

Not unto man, but unto Him whose ear 

Is ever open to man's humble prayer ; 

And in the spirit of the Crucified, 

With trembling voice and tearful eyes, he cried : 

"Receive our souls. Oh God ! Forgive these men 

Our cruel tortures and our death ! Amen." 

Thus died the noble martyr, De Molay — 
True to his God, his Order, Truth and Right. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TRUTH. 93 

Which deem ye victor ? Think ye it was they — 
The vengeful tyrant, with his power to smite, 
And he, the puppet Pope — the monarch's slave? 
Nay ! King and Pontiff suffer'd sore defeat 
When perished thus those martyrs true and brave. 
For 'twas a failure, surely, most complete. 
When their false charges were thus overthrown 
By stern denial with their latest breath. 
Aye ! they did win the victor's glorious crown. 
When for the Truth they went to such a death. 




EXPlrilMAT0RY M0TES. 



1. Pope Benedict XI, A. D. 1304. 

2. The Colonna family, who had been stripped of their power as Car- 
dinals, by Boniface VIII. 

3. On the death of Pope Benedict XI, 1304, King Philip succeeded, 
through the intrigues of the French Cardinal Dupre (or DaPrato),in 
raising the Archbishop of Bordeaux, a creature of his own, to the pontifi- 
cal chair." — Addison^s K. T.^p. 405. 

4. The interregnum of the Popedom continued two years. 

5. A historical fact. 

6. Northern Prelates — not Italians. 

7. Bernard De Goth— or De Gott, as given by some writers. 

8. " In all his acts, the new Pope manifested himself the obedient 
slave of the French monarch." — Addison, p. 405. 

9. The character of this man has been painted by the Romish ecclesi- 
astical historians themselves, in the darkest colors : a knave, a murderer, 
and a vile extortioner." — Addison's K. T..p. 405. 

10. The new Pope was consecrated at Lyons by the name of Clement 
v., A. D. 1305. 

11. The character of Clement is described by Roman historians to be 
that of a "knave, murderer, and vile extortioner." — Addison''s K. T., 
p. 405. 

12. Their names, as given by some authorities, are Hugh de Payens ; 
Godfrey de St. Aldemar, (often written St. Omer ;) Raoul Gundomar ; 
Godfrey Bisol ; Payens de Montidier ; fArchembold de St. Amon; f An- 
dre de Montbar, and Hugh, Count de Provence. Wilcke, quoted by 
Milman, vol. w, p. 334. Addison gives these ttwo, Odo de St. Amand 
and Andre de Montbard. 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. 95 



13. ''Many illustrious persons, on their death-beds, took the vows, that 
they might be buried in the habit of the order." 

"Sovereign princes, quitting the government of their kingdoms, enroled 
themselves amongst the Holy Fraternity, and bequeathed even their do- 
minions to the Master and brethren of the Temple." — Addison, p. 154. 

14. The Beauseant — I'he Battle-Flag of the Templars — was formed of 
black and white cloth, and was first flown under the sky of Judea, 
where for nearly two hundred years its pi-esence carried dismay into the 
ranks of the Infidels, who fled like sparrows from a hawk, on its ap- 
proach. 'Tis strange, the power this flag had over the minds of both 
friend and foe. By the one it was looked upon as the talisman of vic- 
torj\ b}"- the other, as the thunderbolt of destruction. — Addison^s K. Z"., 
p. 288. 

15. Princes and nobles, sovereigns and their subjects, vied with each 
other -in heaping gifts and benefits upon them, and scarce a will of 
importance was made without an article in it in their favor. — Addisoyi, 
1). 154. 

16. Pope Boniface VIIT was possessed, even to infatuation, with the 
conviction of the unlimited, irresistible power of the Papacy. 

He determined to bring to issue, once for all, the inevitable ques- 
tion, to sever the property of the Church from all secular obligation — to 
declare himself the one executive trustee of all lands, goods and proper- 
ties held throughout Christendom by the Clergy, the monastic bodies 
and the church, and that without his consent no aid. benevolence, grant, 
or subsidy could be raised on their estates by any temporal sovereign 
in the world. Such is the full and literal sense of the famous Bull of 
Boniface, at the beginning of the second year of his pontificate. 

This famous Bull of Boniface was received by Philip with the great- 
est indignation. It struck at once at his pride, his poioer. his cupidity. 
Philip, of his sole will, bad imposed the tax, and his wrath at the Pope's 
Bull was vehement, but liis revenge was cool and deliberate. It was a 
retaliation which struck the Popedom deeply, and in the most vital and 
sensitive part. Philip issued an ordinance prohibiting in most rigid and 



96 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 



precise terms, the exportation of gold, silver, gems, provisions, arms, 
horses, or munitions of war, or anj- article of current value, without his 
permission, sealed and delivered by the Crown. — Milman''s Latin Chris- 
tianity, V. VL, pp. 259— 266. 

17. The character of Philip is portrayed by Addison, as that of a 
needy and avaricious monarch, who had at different periods resorted to 
the most violent expedients to replenish his exchequer.— j). 405. 

18. "'We order you," says he, '"to come hither without delay, with as 
much secrecy as possible, and with a very little retinue, since you will find on 
this side the sea a sufficient number of your Knights to attend upon you." 
De Molay forthwith accepted the summons, and unhesitatingly placed 
himself and his treasury in the power of the Pope and the King of 
France. — A'Mison, p. 406. 

19. In the year 1307, the secret agents of the French king began to 
circulate various dark rumors and odious reports concerning the Tem- 
plars." — Addison's E. T.,p. 406. 

20. King Philip, on the 14th of September, 1307, dispatched secret 
letters to all the Baillies of the diflerent provinces in France, accusing the 
Templars of infidelity, of mocking the sacred image of the Saviour, of 
sacrificing to idols, and of abandoning themselves to impure practices 
and unnatural crimes. — Addison, pp. 407 and 428. 

21. The Order partook of the sanctity which invested all religious 
bodies. They were, or had been the defenders of the Holy Sepulchre of 
Christ, and had fought, knelt and worshiped in the Hol}^ Land. — Milman, 
Lat. Gh., V. 6., p. 400. 

22. ''The chief cause of the ruin of the Templars was their extraor- 
dinary wealth. As Naboth's vineyard was the chiefest ground of his 
blasphemy, and as in England, Sir John Cornwall, Lord Fanhope, said 
merrily, not he. but his stately house at Ampthill, in Bedfordshire, was 
guilty of high treason, so certainly, their wealth was the principal cause 
of their overthrow. VV^e may believe that Philip IV would never have 
taken away their lives, if he might have taken their lands without put 
ing them to death; but the mischief was, he could not get the honey un- 
less he burnt the bees." — Fuller, as quoted by Addison, page 419. 



« 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. 97 



23. '-A. D. 1254 — 55, tea Bulls were published in favor of the Tem- 
plars, addressed to the Bishops of the Church Universal, commanding 
them to respect and maintain the privileges conceded to them by the 
Holy See ; to judge and punish all persons who should dare to exact 
tithe from the Fraternity." — Addison, p. 373. 

24. At the death of Grand Master Gaudini, who died A. D. 1295. at 
Limisso, in the island of Cyprus. James De Molay, — (or Jacques De 
Molai, as often written) succeeded to the Grand Mastership of the Order. 
He was the twenty-second and last Grand Master of the antique series. 
This illustrious nobleman was of the family of Longvic and Kaon, in 
Burgundy, and at the period of his election to the dignity of Grand 
Master, was at the head of the English province of the Order. Shortly 
after his election, he proceeded to Cyprus, carrying out with him a 
numerous body of English and French Knights Templars and a consider- 
able amount of treasure. — Addison, pp. 397 — 417. 

25. According to some writers. Squin de Florian, a citizen of Bezieres. 
who had been condemned to death, or perpetual imprisonment for his 
crimes, was brought before King Philip, and received a free pardon 
and was well rewarded, in return for an accusation on oath, charging 
the Templars with heresy, and with the commission of horrible crimes. 
According to others, Nosso de Florentine, an apostate Templar, who 
had been condemned by the Grand Preceptor and Chapter of France, to 
perpetual imprisonment for impiety and crime, made a voluntary confes- 
sion, in his dungeon, of the sins and abominations charged against the 
Order. Thus, upon the strength of an information, sworn to by a con- 
demned criminal. King Philip sent letters to all the provinces accusing 
the Templars. — Addison's K. T"., p. 406. 

26. They were handed over to the tender mercies of the brethren of 
St. Dominic, who were the most refined and expert torturers of the day. 
Addison, p. 409. 

Man3' Templars perished in the hands of their tormentors. — i. b. 

27. Fifty-four Templars were handed over to the secular arm, and 
were led out to execution by the King's officers, at day-break, into the 

13 



98 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 



open country in the environs of Paris, and were fastened to stakes driven 
into the ground and surrounded by fagots and charcoal. In this situa- 
tion they saw the torches lighted and the executioners approaching to 
accomplish their task, and were once more offered pardon and favor if 
they would confess the guilt of the Order, but they maintained its inno- 
cence, and were burnt to death before slow fires ! — Addison's K. T. p. 412. 

28. One hundred and fortj'^ were separately examined, * * * brought 
up from their dungeons without counsel, mutual communication, or 
legal advice, and subjected to every trial which subtlety or cruelty could 
invent, or which could work on the feebler or firmer mind. Shame, 
terror, pain, the hope of impunit}^ of reward — confession was bribed out 
of some by offers of indulgence — wrung from others by the dread of tor- 
ture — by actual torture, with tlie various ways of wliich our hearts must 
be shocked, that we may judge more fairly of their eQects.—3Iilman , Lat. 
Ch. V. 6,p- 402. 

•' As pardon and forgiveness had been freely offered to those Knights 
who would confess, it was not wonderful that false confessions had been 
made." — Addison, p. 411, 

29. ''It was prudent, if not necessary, to crush all popuhir sjanpathy; 
to leave no doubt of the King's justice, or suspicion of his motives in 
seizing such rich and tempting endowments." — Milman., V. 6^ p. 400. 

30. The whole clergy and the people were gathered togettier in the 
gardens of the Royal Palace. Sermons were dehvered by tlie most .pop- 
ular pi-eachers — the Friars; addresses were made to tlie multitude by tlie 
King's ministers, denouncing, blackening and aggravating the crimes of 
the Templars. No means were spared to allay anj^ possible movement 
in their favor. — Milman., V. 6. p. 400. 

31. A letter, sent to the imprisoned Knights at Sens, warned them against 
a retraction of their confessions (under torture) in the following words: 

" Take notice, that the Pope has given command that thej^ who have 
made confessions before his Legates, and do not persevere in these con- 
fessions, shall be committed to damnation and destruction by fire." — 
Addison, p. 411. 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. 99 



32. Hugh de Peralt, the Visitor General, and the Preceptor of the 
Temple of Aquitaine, signified their assent to whatever was demanded of 
them, but the Grand Master, raising his arms bound with chains towards 
heaven, and advancing to the edge of the scaffold, declared in a loud 
voice, that to say that which was untrue, was a crime, both in the siglit 
of God and man. *" I do," said he, — " confess my guilt, which consists 
in having, to my shame and dishonor, suft'ered myself, through the pain 
of torture and fear of death, to give utterance to falsehoods, imputing 
scandalous sins and iniquities to an illustrious Order, which hath nobly 
served the cause of Christianity. I disdain to seek a wretched and dis- 
graceful existence by engrafting another lie upon the original falsehood." 
He was here interrupted by the Provost and his officers ; and Guy, the 
Grand Preceptor, having commenced with strong asseverations of his 
innocence, tliey were both hurried back to prison. — Addison, p. 416. 

33. See Addison's Knights Templars^ p. 418. 

34. '• Auto da Fe " — Act of Faith — The burning of heretics. 

35. A year and one month after the execution of the Grand Master 
and Grand Preceptor, Clement was attacked by disease, and was soon 
hurried to his grave. His dead body was conveyed to Carpentras, where 
tlie Court of Pome then resided. It was placed at night in a church, 
whicii caught fire, and the mortal i-eniains of the Holy Pontiff were 
almost entirely consumed. 

Before the close of the same year, Philip IV died of a lingering 
disease whicli had baffled all the art of his medical attendants, and the 
condemned criminal, on whose information the Templars were originally 
arrested, was hanged for fresh crimes. Clement, died April 20, Philip, 
Nov. 29. \^U.— Addison, pp. 418—419. 

" History attests," says Eaynouard, " that all those who were fore- 
most in the persecution of the Templars, came to an untimely and mis- 
erable death." 

The last daj's of Philip were embittered by misfortune. His nobles 
and clergy leagued against him to resist his exactions. 




^-^ " ,<?> ^o «<.,"<{>. 







'« -"-^..^e^ '£^^\ ^-..^^ o^.^fe^ -"^^.^^ -^^ 




'^o^ 




'bV" 




-Ao^ 













-f \:> 



^ "^o ^ : 
























